According to a study conducted
by IPSOS (A Global Market
Research Leader), just 4% percent of
homeowners surveyed selected
“HEAT” as the household item they
would miss the most during a
power outage, compared to
more than half (51%) who said
they would miss their “TV” the
most. Yes, long hours in the
dark can be incredibly boring
without the entertainment of a
news program or favorite show,
but when considering POWER
OUTAGES during the DEAD of
WINTER a lack of entertainment
SHOULD BE the LAST THINGS
homeowners should be
CONCERNED about.
This research points out that
many homeowners don’t
realize the dangers and
inconveniences they would face
during a power outage.
To help homeowners be better
prepared for the realities of
winter-related power
outages, Generac Power Systems
compiled a few
reminders of unexpected things
they’ll be without:
1. Running water. When the
heat is out pipes are more
susceptible to freezing.
Even if you have an
oil-based source of household
heating, a power outage will
still disrupt service
and indoor temperatures will dip.
A frozen or burst pipe
can halt your access to running water
(and could lead to some very expensive
home repairs). Opening the faucet will
provide relief from the excessive
pressure that comes with ice blockage
and can prevent a burst pipe.
2. Fast emergency responders &
utility companies.
Snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice
all make for treacherous travel
conditions, meaning response
from emergency and utility crews
will be delayed during winter
storms. When power outages
are involved, families can quickly
find themselves in dangerous
situations with delayed response
from these important services.
With proper at-home preparation
and safety, you can protect your
family from needing to call these
crews for help in emergency situations.
3. Wireless Internet. Most homeowners
forget that when the power goes out,
so does their wireless internet access.
With routers down, that means no
connection to communicate with loved
ones or get important updates about the
storm. Cellular service can also be
interrupted during outage times, and
with no way to charge cell phone
batteries, that option is also often
limited.
4. Daylight. This one might seem like a
no-brainer, but many people forget that
daylight hours are short during the
winter. Especially when a storm is
passing through, homes can get dark
and stay dark for the majority of the day.
Candles and flashlights work well for
short periods of time, but it’s important
to re-think backup light options during
the winter when darkness is prolonged.
These critical household functions are all
things that homeowners would
desperately miss in the event of a winter
power outage, whether they are aware of
it or not. The best way to ensure you and
your family won’t be without is to create
an organized winter preparedness plan
that includes a stockpile of food, water,
and other supplies as well as a source of
BACKUP POWER!
GENERAC manufactures the most reliable
home backup generators on the market,
giving homeowners the safety and
reliability needed to get through the
storm. So while you can’t predict the
storm, you can prepare to get through
it safely. Whether from a home standby
option that automatically turns on
when utility power is interrupted,
or a portable unit for powering
essential items, generators can make
all the difference in the safety of your
home and family this winter.
